
Author 



Title 



Imprint. 



19— *737a-« OPO 



GENERAL 

ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS 



* 




GEN. ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS 



GENERAL 



ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS 



BY 



JOSEPH GREUSEL 




DETROIT 

SEIDEL PRINTING COMPANY 

1911 



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Traru.G-red from 
Librariar/; ...^ficfc. 



CHAPTER I. 




HIS article sketches the public life of a soldier. This 
soldier rose to high command during the war of 18G1-65, 
the highest attained by any of the 90,119 courageous, 
patriotic and capable men who went from Michigan to 
serve in the armies of the republic. 
This soldier had under his direction a larger force than the 
army George Washington was able to muster and command in 
the several campaigns of our great struggle for independence. 
None of our generals in the war of 1812, among whom may be 
named Macomb at Plattsburg and Jackson at New Orleans — 
directed in battle so large a number of men as did our Michigan 
soldier. Scott and Taylor won their victories in Mexico with 
armies less numerous. These references to American history 
are intended to make plainer the fact that the ability to com- 
mand great armies requires genius of a high degree. In any 
nation during the stress of war few commanders prove by their 
success the possession of superior qualities. The long roll of 
history names many warriors, but the list of generals really 
great is sufficiently meager. 



A Notable Soldier. 

The great captains, the conquerors of the world, may be 
listed in a few lines. It would be inconsistent to include our 
soldier among them He is, however, entitled to appear among 
that meritorious class of officers whom the great captains relied 
on to carry out intelligently and valorously a part of the work. 
The result of campaigns and the safety of armies largely rests 
on men of high capacity. Sifted down by trial in war not many 
soldiers possessing this quality — an insufficient number, at least 
— has been forthcoming . It is no little glory to the State that 
Michigan produced one soldier who fulfilled the higher conditions' 
of generalship; and demonstrated his worth on many fields 
throughout a war whose magnitude is one of the most stupen- 
dous in the annals of internecine strife. 

It might be said of this Michigan soldier that, like the Roman 
general, Marius, he was a self-made man; that he joined the 
army early and attracted notice by his punctual discharge of 
all duties; that he forced his way steadily upward by his mere 



soldier-like qualities to the rank of division and of corps com- 
mander. He was neither given himself to talking, nor much 
talked about, but was sought for whenever work was to be 
done. He made himself respected and valued accordingly by 
the great generals under whom he served. This much is an 
outline, indicating the dimensions of a canvas upon which 
should be pictured the history of our Michigan soldier. We 
can employ no such canvas here, but will epitomize his history 
that it may show something of the man and his work. 

Resume of His Work. 

Alpheus Starkey Williams, soldier, jurist, congressman and 
diplomat, was born in Connecticut September 20, ISIO; graduat- 
ed at Yale, 1831 ; studied and traveled in Europe during the 
years 1834-36, part of the time in company with N. P. Willis, poet 
and essayist, and Edwin Forrest, tragedian. He removed to 
Detroit in 1S36 and commenced the practice of the law. In 1838 
became the captain of the Brady Guards, organized the year of 
his arrival here. Judge of probate, Wayne county, 1840 to 1S44; 
in the latter year appointed recorder of the city of Detroit. 
Purchased a controlling interest in the Detroit Advertiser in 
1843, which he retained for five years. 

Upon the president's call for volunteers for the ^Mexican 
war he helped to organize the first Michigan regiment, of which 
he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, serving until peace 
was resumed, when he again took up the practice of the law 
in Detroit. 

In ISGl he offered his services to the Union cause. Was 
employed at first in organizing the regiments called into the 
field and instructing the officers in tactics. President Lincoln 
commissioned him brigadier-general of volunteers May 17, 1861. 
He commanded the first division of the army corps of Gen. N. 
P. Banks. The duty assigned to this corps early in 18G1-2 was 
to cover the line of the Potomac and Washington city. The 
field of action was the Shenandoah valley, where such generals 
as Joseph E. Johnston, Stonewall Jackson, A. P. Hill and R. S. 
Ewell had to be reckoned with, especially Jackson, in whose 
command the district lay. The principal battles in this cam- 
paign were: Kernstown, March 23, 1862; Winchester, May 24, 
18G2; Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862. 

Gen. Pope's lamentable failure with the inain army in Vir- 
ginia during August of that year brought about changes in its 
organization. Williams was, early in September, placed in 
temporary charge of the Twelfth corps. Gen. Mansfield was 
given this corps September 15, but when he fell at the opening 
of the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, Williams suc- 
ceeded him in command of the cori)s, fighting in the great 
battles of South Mountain and Antietam, September 14th and 
17th, 1862. 

The next year, 1863, we find him with his corps. Hooker 
commanding the army of the Potomac, at Chancellorsville in 



May. The next month, when I>ee invaded Pennsylvania and 
Meade succeeded Hooker, Williams, with his Twelfth corps, 
held Gulp's Hill, the right of the army at Gettysburg, July 13, 
1SC3. This position was one of importance to the success 
achieved on that famous field. 

From Virginia to Georgia. 

Immediately after Lee had withdrawn his shattered forces 
into Virginia again, the Twelfth corps was ordered west and 
W illiaras next appears in Tennessee, time being autumn of 1863. 
Shortly after Sherman assumed command of the western armies 
at Chattanooga the Eleventh and Twelfth corps were consoli- 
dated as the Twentieth army corps, department of the Cum- 
berland, Gen. Thomas. This in \pril, 18G4. Hooker, the next 
ranking officer, was m.ade corps commander, Williams being 
given charge of the First division. He was at the head of his 
division in the movement toward Atlanta and made a brilliant 
record in every battle, of which Allatoona — where Williams led 
the turning movement — ^Cassville, Resacca, New Kope Church, 
Kolb's Farm, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, were of first 
importance. July 24, 1SG4, when Hooker learned that Howard 
was made commander of the Tennessee, in succession to Gen. 
McPherson, killed at Atlanta, July 22, he a])plied to Thomas 
to be relieved of the command of the Twentieth army corps. 
Thomas forwarded the application to Sherman "approved and 
heartily recommended." Sherman immediately acquiesced and 
recommended Gen. Slocum to this command. Slocum was ap- 
pointed, but until his arrival in the last days of August, 1864, 
Williams, as senior division commander, was given charge of 
the Twentieth corps. 

To the Ser, and the Carolinas. 

November 15, 1SC4, M'hen Sherman left with his army on 
the famous march to the sea, Williams resumed his old place 
at the head of the Twentieth corps. Gen. Slocum was advanced 
and given the left wing, consisting of the Fourteenth and 
Twentieth corps and Howard the right wing. Fifteenth and 
S'eventeenth corps. On reaching Savannah, which city Sher- 
man offered to Lincoln as a "Christmas present" for 1864, Wil-' 
liams was brevetted major-general of volunteers, the president's 
commission being dated January 15, 18G5. 

So he continued with Sherman all the Avay through Georgia, 
South Carolina and North Carolina, taking a share in the last 
severe battle of that army, Bentonville, and being present with 
his corps at the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnston, April 26, 1865, 
at Durham Station, N. C. Lee had surrendered his army at 
Appomattox two weeks before. 

Naturally he held a foremost station in the grand review 
of the army a month later in Washington, for the value of his 
services was then fresh in the minds of all. The fighting ended 



— he at once was transferred to Kentucky and Arkansas, where 
as the ranking officer he assisted in the reconstruction of 
those states. 

In July, 1866, he was honorably mustered out of the service. 
President Johnson appointed him United States minister to 
San Salvador, at which post he remained until the close of 
1869. He was elected a member of congress from the first 
district of Michigan in 1874 and re-elected in 1876. His ser- 
vices in this capacity were notable for the integrity and good 
sense which always distinguished him. His more particular 
assignment was as chairman of the committee of the District 
of Columbia, and Washington owes no little of its beautifica- 
tion to his capable administration. Gen. Williams died at 
Washington December 21, 1878, before the completion of his 
last term as congressman. 

As the Army Beheld Him. 

Gen. Williams, as the army saw him, was an impressive fig- 
ure, with the traits of manhood that soldiers especially admire. 
A notable characteristic was kindness of heart and courteous 
grace of manner. To these add the quality of good humor 
that no cross or trial could shake. He was of middle stature, 
strongly built, and of an iron constitution. The men liked him, 
because of his presence among them, in camp, on the march, in 
battle, and for the kindly interest he took in their welfare. 
Because of his devotion and fatherly appearance, accentuated 
as it was by the full beard which he wore, and because he was 
always attentive in their wants — they called him "Old Pap." 

When soldiers have an affectionate nickname for their gen- 
eral it is an evidence that they recognize his qualities and 
feel that they can trust him. Williams and Gen. George H. 
Thomas — these two — ^the men of their respective armies, desig- 
nated as "Old Pap!" They were hailed by this name as most 
expressive of the soldiers' love and confidence, carrying with it 
a world of sentiment. 

One of the men "behind the gun," W. F. Goodhue, of the 
Third Wisconsin infantry, speaking at Milwaukee in 1896 on 
an historical occasion, described Gen. Williams in this vivid 
way: 

"As the Hibernian said of his dead friend: 'Peace to his 
soul and not to his ashes, for he hasn't gone where ashes are 
made!' Although I have not seen the old general for 31 years, 
yet with memory's eye I see him today as plainly as ever. I 
fancy myself back among the Virginia pines, the mountain re- 
gions, Chattanooga to Atlanta, the savannahs of Georgia and 
the Carolinas, through which we followed for many, many a 
weary mile the devoted leader of the old Red Star division. 

"His was a Cromwellian figure, sitting his horse like a 
centaur, sturdy, strong and imperturbable under all the cir- 
cumstances of warfare. His strong, kindly face and grizzled 
beard indicated the rugged nature of the man. Beneath his 



black slouched hat gleamed in the southern sun the glasses 
he constantly wore, scintillating like the jeweled eyes of a 
war god, giving our soldiers the inspiration of battle; holding 
firmly in his teeth the never-lighted cigar. 

"When the rifles at the front began their crackling the horse 
he rode quickened its step; the advance of the division found 
Old Pap at the front, and there he staid until the field was 
won. 

"In all the four long years the brave old general Avas on 
hand. Xot a drum-beat in the Red Star division that he did 
not hear, and was quick to answer. No matter what the occa- 
sion — a review^ a march, a battle — he was there! His boys had 
to get up very early in the morning to beat him in punctuality 
and promptness." 

Here is an extract from the diary of Gen. Frederick W. 
Swift, of Detroit, written May 24, 18G5, of the "Grand Review:" 

"But listen! Why that great outburst of applause? This 
redoubling of the cheering? The explanation is easy — for there 
comes the man, the best loved man of all! Gen. Alpheus S. 
Williams — 'Old Pap' as the boys delighted to call him. The 
Ney — the Philip Sidney, of the war, for in him are embodied 
the attributes of both. 'Hero of the Shenandoah!' Wreaths 
of flowers are thrown over his horse and over those of his 
staff. He is deluged with bouquets, and so are they. 

'This is a proud day for the old hero, for he is riding for 
the last time at the head of the famous 'Red Star Division,' 
5,000 well trained veterans, the equals of the 'Old Guard' in 
Napoleon's palmiest days. Their fronts extending from curb 
to curb, closed in mass, these men of an hundred battles 
march majestically along, their cadence perfect, steady, their 
bearing soldierly, for 'Old Pap' in the midst of all their cam- 
paigns never omitted battalion drills or camp discipline, nor 
failed of the strictest military schooling Avhenever it was pos- 
sible to observe them. 

"They easily bear the palm as the best appearing division 
in STierman's entire army." 

Gen. Williams' interest in public affairs at home was strong- 
ly manifested. In school and college days he evinced a taste 
toward millitary pursuits. He read many books upon the sub- 
ject and later added such information as he could by visiting 
battlefields of our Revolutionary war and others in Europe, the 
scene of several of Napoleon's victories. 

It is not surprising then to find him at the age of 25 joining 
the Brady Guards of 183G, its first captain, and later organizing 
the Detroit Light Guard. In 1843 all the militia companies of 
the city were formed into a battalion, called the Frontier 
Guards. Williams was selected by the officers of all the com- 
panies for commander of the battalion. The young men of the 
community trained in this way were qualified for commissions 
when the war of 18G1 broke out. The nation needed them at 
that crisis. The army received many officers thus instructed 
and not a few of them attained high rank. 



Mexico, Guerrillas and Yellow Fever. 

When, during the Mexican war of 1S4G-4S, the president 
called for a regiment of volunteers from Michigan, it was 
quickly formed and Williams was made lieutenant colonel. The 
regiment marched from Detroit in the fall of 1S47, to an in- 
terior point in Ohio on the line of the then only railroad which 
reached Cincinnati. Here a transfer to the cars and, at Cin- 
cinnati, another transfer to steamer, brought it to New Orleans. 
By ship from the last named city to Vera Cruz and thence to 
the active field of operations. 

Gen. Winfield Scott in a report made just prior to the arrival 
of the Michigan volunteers informs the government: "Our 
danger and difficulties are all in the rear. First, The season 
of the year, and, below Cerro Gordo, sand and disease. Second, 
An impossibility (almost) of establishing any intermediate 
point on account of disease and the want of sufficient supplies 
within easy reach. Third, The danger of having our trains 
cut and destroyed by the exasperated rancheros. And fourth. 
The consequent necessity of escorting trains. 

"The yellow fever at Vera Cruz, and on the road fifty miles 
this way, may soon cut us off from our depot. Deep sand, dis- 
ease and bands of guerrillas constitute the difficulty. Within 
the distance of fifty miles from Vera Cruz I doubt whether I 
can hazard a depot or garrison. The difficulty of protecting 
the flag (of truce to send forward to the rear) by a large escort 
against rancheros and banditti who infest the roads all the way 
to the capital, and who rob and murder even wounded Mexican 
officers returning on parole to their friends." 

An idea of the desperate temper of these guerrillas is ob- 
tained from the proclamation of Mariana Salas, posted about 
the country, declaring "War without pity unto death! will be 
the motto of the guerrilla warfare of vengeance." Other leaders 
of this vindictive force, famous for daring and cruelty — ^were 
Chico Mendoza, Zenobio and Padre Jerauta. Very bloody is 
the catalogue of their operations. 

Into a territory thus infested and with the danger line of 
yellow fever near, the Michigan volunteers took up the impor- 
tant work of keeping open communications and of clearing out 
the guerrillas. Scott's fears as to his communications departed. 

The Post at Orizaba. 

The regiment had its headquarters at Cordova, a city of 
6,000 people on the road through the Cerro Gordo pass, and 
near the foot of the magnificent and unparalleled mountain peak 
of Orizaba. The name in the Aztec tongue means "mountain 
of the star." It is an extinct volcano, 17,907 feet high. Orizaba 
was then thought to be the highest point in North America. 

The mountain is covered with perpetual snow. Although 
one Inindred miles inland it is visible fifty miles out at sea — a 
landmark for mariners. If scenery could compensate the Mich- 
igan volunteers for hardships and dangers, the grandest in the 

10 



world was visible which every way they looked. They were 
too busy with guerrillas, rancheros, banditti and the safety of 
the single line of road available for the needs of the army, to 
moon about scenery. Instead Williams had them unceasingly 
on the lookout for raiders. They accepted this duty with 
cheerfulness and courage, just as did the Red Star Division, the 
Twelfth and the Twentieth army corps — who learned to know 
and to love Gen. Williams fifteen years after we finished with 
Mexico. The soldiers of the later generation we still meet in 
our walks abroad — the men who wear the bronze button. For 
the soldiers of Mexico the last tattoo has sounded. 




II 



CHAPTER II. 




XE reason why the men wearing the hot, uncomfortable 
uniform of the United States army in Mexico in 1847, 
loved Williams, was because of his humanity. At that 
period punishments of a barbarous character were com- 
mon in the army, being specified in the regulations. We 
read of "fifty lashes on the bare back with a raw-hide;" "the 
head shaved;" "standing on a barrel in the open street (city of 
Mexico), exposed to the heat of the sun all day, the derision of 
the street passengers and a sentry to shoot or run him through 
with a bayonet if he attempts to escape;" "placing a man on a 
high wooden horse; sometimes compelled to sit for a series of 
days and nights in position;" and the buck and gag. What the 
army thought of the most common form of punishment is told 
in a song the soldiers were accustomed to sing, at places w'here 
their indignation could find vocal expression. 

It was called "Corporal Bell's Song," and here is a bit of it: 



Come all you Yankee soldiers give ear to my song. 
It is a short ditty, 'twill not keep you long. 

It's of no use to fret on account of our luck 

We can laugh, drink and sing yet in spite of the buck. 
Derry down, derry down, etc. 

'Sergeant buck him and gag him," our officers cry. 
For each trifling offense which they happen to spy; 

Till with bucking and gagging of Dick, Tom and Bill, 
Faith the :\Iexican ranks they have helped to fill. 

The treatment they give us, as all of us know, 
It's bucking and gagging for whipping the foe; 

They buck us and gag us for malice or spite, 
But they're glad to release us when going to fight. 



Despondent culprit in the guard house at Ft. Wayne, if any 
such is despondent, in warm quarters, with good food and op- 
portunity to read and reflect — your misdeed may be worse in 
the category of army discipline, than those of the cheerful men 
in Wue ivho sang Corporal Bell's song in Alexico — still rejoice 

12 



that the army punishments of 1S47 were long ago abolished. 
One of the men who helped to abolish them was "Pap Williams. "' 
Ko Michigan volunteer suffered degradation in the ways de- 
scribed. 

The adjutant general's report of 1S4S after speaking of 
losses in the field, and by climate and the fatal course of dis- 
ease there— declares: 'It is a matter of price to Michigan and 
of congratulation to know the commanding generals are unani- 
mous in bestowing praise upon the volunteers of Michigan, 
exceeded by none in soldierlike bearing and discipline." * * * 

"The governor's general order was issued on the 17th of 
July, 184S, welcoming the returning troops and thanking them 
on behalf of the state for the spirit and patriotism evinced and 
the strict discipline observed. The same was read by the 
captains of companies at the time of the muster out." 

The men of the three Detroit companies, hearing this order 
read at their muster out, gave cheers for Col. A. S. Williams. 
Are there any of them on earth now? Not one; but there must 
be many descendants in .Michigan, grandsons, great-grandsons, 
granddaughters and great granddaughters. Do they cherish 
the memories that these lines so meagerly touch upon? 

Secession and the Long War. 

The work of Gen. Williams— as an officer of the Union army 
— 1S61-C5, cannot be enlarged upon here. He participated in 
all the great battles within the limits of his command and all 
other movements there. Few, if any of the officers of rank, had 
commands that covered so vast an extent of the field of opera- 
tions as Gen. Williams. The Potomac, the STienandoah, the 
Cumberland, the Tennessee, the rivers of Georgia and the At- 
lantic coast states— the Alleghanies and the Blue Ridge moun- 
tains, w^ere all crossed by his troops and were illuminated by 
the watch-fires of his corps. 

When the armed strife began by actual bombardment of 
Ft. Sumpter, April 12, 18G1, Gen. Williams was at the head of 
the state militia. Events previous to the firing on Sumpter had 
satisfied him that the country was to be plunged into a war, 
certain to last for a long time and to be contested to a finish 
by powerful armies. Many people, even Secretary of Stat';} 
Seward, thought nothing very serious would happen. It was 
their belief that "ninety days" would settle the trouble. Wil- 
liams' mind was made up when South Caroline seceded, Decem- 
ber 20, 18C0. 

His belief was strengthened when the United States troops 
under Major Anderson evacuated their station on the main land 
near Charleston: while the jubilation over the secession ordi- 
nance of South Carolina was at its height, quickly followed, as 
it was. by like action by most of the southern states, and the 
confederacy formed under Jeff Davis, who was inaugurated 
president February 18. ISHl. It was plain to Williams that prep- 
arations for a long and bloody war needed to be made without 
delay. 

1.3 



AVhile these events were happening, meaning much or little 
according to one's capacity for judgment, Williams' energies 
were employed in making efficient, for actual service, all the 
military companies in the state. From January until June he 
was busy in this work, so far as appears without compensation. 
When the first volunteers were called out and organized into 
regiments at Ft. Wayne he was placed there in command. The 
work that fell to his hands was to instruct the officers of these 
eager and enthusiastic men. They were the finest material 
that ever carried arms. 

There was a woeful deficiency of trained officers. The most 
valiant hosts in the world dissipate their lives and ruin their 
cause if they are led by incapable officers. It is sad to note 
during the course of the war how many men, how much of 
treasure, were sacrificed by incompetency of officers. 

Gen. Williams performed a great work when he gave atten- 
tion to the officers of the first regiments who took the field from 
Michigan, and fitted them, so far as instruction would do so, 
for the work that lay ahead. His work was appreciated at 
Washington, when our soldiers arriving for the defense of the 
capital were found to be not only equipped to take the field, but 
with officers who understood their duties; unseasoned, to be 
sure, but with a degree of professional knowledge that fitted 
them to cope with the ordinary conditions of campaigning in 
the face of the enemy. 

Lincoln Makes Him a Brigadier. 

May 14, 18G1, a month after Ft. Sumpter, Gen. Williams 
was commissioned by President Lincoln brigadier general 
of volunteers. The others appointed up to that time — few in 
number — were graduates of West Point. There were two from 
civil life — Williams of Michigan and Shields of Iowa. Lieuten- 
ant General Scott was then at the head of the army. His ex- 
perience in war exceeded that of any American soldier of his 
period. President Lincoln naturally looked to Scott for advice 
upon military matters. The selection of brigadier generals 
was then of great moment. At the first call for troops there 
were but three or four officers ranking as brigadier generals, 
all employed at Washington in administering the business of 
the regular army. The army in its peace establishment had no 
brigades — nothing but companies scattered about the land at 
the posts and forts. There were few officers who held regi- 
mental command; fewer still who ever had seen an entire regi- 
ment assembled in a body. Gen. Scott, it is believed, considering 
all that he had personal knowledge of who were fitted for so 
high a command, remembered the work of Williams and Shields 
in Mexico and recommended them to the president. Shields 
Lincoln knew personally as a former resident of Springfield, Ills. 
A duel the fiery Shields was once bent upon fighting there, but 
Lincoln humorously stopped it. 

When Gen. Williams reported at Washington for duty the 

14 



great volunteer host was being assembled and organized, pre- 
liminary to taking the field. He was employed in that duty, 
made more imperative a little later by the defeat at Bull Run. 
Bull Run, not a vital affair nor serious — as was afterwards dis- 
covered — but staggering the nation, which viewed it as a great 
disaster. When Gen. McClellan came to take charge of the 
army at Washington he would not move at all until he had it 
drilled, disciplined and organized in a way entirely satisfactory 
to himself. 

The official reports of the war, union and confederate, i)ub- 
lished by the government contain many pages relating to Wil- 
liams and his various commands. His services and his suc- 
cesses can not be fully related here. In all the operations 
engaged in — whether planned by himself or following the plans 
of his superiors, some of them operations of highest importance 
rapidly decided upon in the crisis of battle— he invariably 
showed a complete grasp of the situation and followed up to 
success his undertakings. He was a fighting general ever to 
be depended upon. The reports of his superior commanding 
generals make it plain that Williams never failed thein, whether 
in charge of a division or an army corps. 

Williams throughout the war had under his command the 
"Red Star division," so called when insignia to designate the 
different army corps were first adopted. When not in direct 
command of this division it always formed a portion of the 
army corps of which he had charge. 

Fighting on the Shenandoah. 

In the spring of 1SG2 he was of the Fifth corps army of the 
Potomac, under Banks up to the time that Pope took command 
of that army early in August, 18G2. The field of operations of 
Banks was the upper Potomac and the Shenandoah valley. Em- 
braced in that campaign were the sanguinary battles of Win- 
chester, March 2, 18G2, and Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1SG2. 
The confederates were led in both battles by one of their 
greatest generals — Stonewall .Jackson. The army of Banks, as 
a final result of the Shenandoah campaign that year, was saved 
by Williams, whose division composed the rear guard in the 
withdrawal to the Potomac. 

He was of the Second army corps under Pope, holding the 
upper district of the Potomac. Pope was superseded early in 
September, 18G2, and McClellan resumed command. McClellan 
temporarily placed Williams in charge of the Twelfth corps, 
but on September ].5th, Gen. Mansfield fell at the opening of 
the battle of Antietam, September 17th, 18G2, Williams was again 
placed at its head. He commanded the corps until Gen. Slocum, 
who had been recommended by Gen. McClellan to succeed Gen. 
Mansfield, assumed command. Prior to the transfer of the 
Twelfth corps to Chattanooga and vicinity Gen. Williams led 
the corps on several occasions, notably upon the movement by 
which was gained Hooker's advantageous position at Chancel- 
lorsville, and the battle of Gettysburg. 

15 



Antletam, high in the list of great and fiercely contested 
battles, was one of the bloodiest of the civil war. Out of a 
union force totaling 87,174, of whom some 75,000 were in the 
actual combat, 12,409 was the total loss, 2,010 of them killed. 
Pollard, the Confederate historian, gives Lee's total as 70,000, 
McClellan, possibly overestimating the opposing forces, says it 
was 97,000. McClellan says, "Nearly 200,000 men and 500 pieces 
of artillery were for fourteen hours engaged in this memorable 
battle." The Confederate loss was 25,899. Some writers say 
it was a Union victory, but others make it out indecisive — which 
in fact it was. Lee, checked and stunned by it, slowly retreated 
back to the Virginia side of the Potomac. 

But South Mountain, fought Sept. 14, three days before Antie- 
tam, and Antietam itself, could have been resolved into a de- 
structive defeat for Lee. That this did not come about is 
because McClellan failed to take complete advantage of the 
knowledge of Lee's plans exactly revealed by an original copy of 
Lee's own order, discovered by the advance of the army led 
by Gen. Williams. 

The Lost Order and Its Story. 

It is the story of "the lost order," Lee's order Xo. 191 of 
18G2, better known to Col. Samuel E. Pittman, assistant 
adjutant general to Gen. Williams, than to any other person. 
Pittman first received the paper; of all the men in the army 
Pittman was best qualified to confidently avouch that it was 
genuine. That such an order should fall into the hands of Mc- 
Clellan not quite three days after Lee's corps commanders had 
received it, and began to act upon it, is a singularly remarkable 
incident in war. 

On Lee's invasion of Maryland, his army on Sept. 10, 18C2, 
began, in consequence of this order, to separate itself into four 
parts: First, Stonewall Jackson by a march passing Middleton 
— not far from the spot where S'outh Mountain Avas fought on 
the 14th, was to re-cross the Potomac near Sharpsb.urg, take 
possession of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, if possible by the 
14th, capture such of the Union forces as might be at Martins- 
burg and intercept such as might try to escape from Harper's 
Ferry; second, Longstreet's command to take the same road 
as tar as Boonsboro, there to halt with the reserve supply and 
baggage trains of the army. It was mentioned that after the 
different separated army corps had done the work assigned 
them each was to join the main body at Boonsboro or Hagers- 
town. 

Going on with the plan to clear up things for this final junc- 
tion of all the forces at the place where Longstreet stood, it 
was ordered; third, that McLaws with two divisions was to get 
to Maryland Heights by the 14th, take it and endeavor, as soon 
as possible, to capture the Union force at Harper's Ferry. Force 
at Harper's Ferry was 12,000 men under Col. Miles. Fourth, 
Gen. Walker after completing certain work then in hand was 

16 



to cross the Potomac below Harper's Ferry, ascend the river, 
take Loudon Heights, on the morning of the 14th, if practicable, 
and then co-operate with McLaws and Jackson. 

Gen. D. H. Hill's division was to form the rear guard of the 
army, pursuing the road taken by the main body, that is the 
road taken by Longstreet, and secure Turner's Gap. The re- 
serve artillery, ordinance and supply trains, etc., were to pre- 
cede D. H. Hill. The work laid out for Stuart's cavalry was also 
specified. 

About the same time as the date of Lee's order, McClellan 
learned something from his cavalry scouts — though it was 
incomplete — of Avhat the enemy was doing. The information 
he had suggested to McClellan that a conflict was shaping itself 
and that the South xMountain region would be the scene of it. 
He was sufficiently alert to the situation and Sept. 12, first of 
all, started Gen. Williams with the Twelfth corps toward Fred- 
erick City. It was a wise beginning and had important results. 

It happened that D. H. Hill had stopped near Frederick on 
the night of the 12th. He intended to secure the mountain pass 
at Turner's Gap. The "Red Star division" of Williams' corps 
reached Hill's camp on the forenoon of the 13th and halted on 
the same bit of ground. Here was found the celebrated order. 
By some unusual procedure Hill had received a copy from 
Stonewall Jackson, in whose corps he served. This, however, 
was not discovered until after the war closed, and it is a 
mystery to this day how the original order was lost in Hill's 
halt on the way to Turner's Gap. 

It was found by Private INIitchell, 27th Indiana — a bit of 
paper wraped about three cigars, accidentally dropped, no doubt 
from some one's pocket. The paper was carried to Col. S. E 
Plttman, assistant adjutant general on the staff of Gen. Wil 
liams. The order was signed "by command of Gen. Lee, R. H 
Chilton, assistant adjutant general." 

Before the war Chilton, a paymaster in the United States 
army, had been stationed at Detroit. His bank account was at 
the Michigan State bank of which Plttman was the teller. Pitt- 
man was familiar with Chilton's signature, and, due to his 
training as a bank teller, recognized it positively. The hand- 
writing was Chilton's. 

Delay, and the Consequences. 

The logistics of the order, when calculated upon the maps of 
the region, showed that the four parts of Lee's army would be 
separated from each other by two marches. The order was 
taken to Gen. Williams early in the forenoon of Sept. 13th. Ho 
sent it without delay to Gen. McClellan, accompanied by a state- 
ment from Pittman, authenticating positively the signatures, 
and noting the circumstances of the finding of the order. Mc- 
Clellan received it before noon of the day Lee's army was in 
four parts, that is on S'ept. 13, 18G2. 

Gen. McClellan says that after there had fallen into his hands 

17 



"the order issued by Gen. Lee, which fully disclosed his plans, 
I immediately gave orders for a rapid and vigorous forward 
movement." As executed it was not rapid. 

On the night of the 13th Renos corps was at Middletown — 
six miles from Crampton's Gap, and about the same to Turner's 
Gap — these passes being the objectives. The larger portion — 
the main body of the Union army — was in the vicinity of 
Frederick, which place is eighteen miles from Boonsboro. The 
roads from there to Boonsboro lead through the "Gaps." The 
country is mountainous. The roads were good. 

McClellan's orders to the different corps commanders were 
issued at 11:30 of the night of the 13th and called upon all to 
march toward Middletown, Hooker to start at daylight next 
morning, Sept. 14th, other corps to follow at six, seven and 
nine a. m. The objective was Boonsboro and carry that posi- 
tion. Longstreet was in the vicinity of that place and Lee, 
with his headquarters was near Hagerstown, eleven miles north. 
The starting was generally delayed, by some of the corps very 
much delayed. 

At G:30 p. m. of the 13th, McClellan dispatched an order to 
Franklin M'hose corps was at Buckeystown, nearest the Potomac 
and ten miles from Crampton's Gap. Buckeystown is 17 miles 
from Harper's Ferry. Franklin was in consequence nearest by 
several miles and on the road to Harper's Ferry. 

McClellan begins the order to Franklin by saying: "I now 
have full information as to the movements and intentions of 
the enemy." He outlines the points of Lee's order, and adds, 
"we have cleared out all the cavalry this side of the mountains 
and north of us." He then informs Franklin that Miles holds 
on at Harper's Ferry with his 12,000, and that Franklin must 
march at daylight on the 14th for Rohrersville (near Harper's 
Ferry) "cut off, destroy or capture McLaws and relieve Col. 
Miles." 

Harper's Ferry Falls, Franklin Not Getting Up to the Rescue. 

On the morning of the 14th, Gen. McClellan says he had a 
message from Col. IMiles, saying the heights had been occupied 
by the enemy and that he (Miles) had withdrawn his whole 
force into Harper's Ferry. The messenger informed Gen. Mc- 
Clellan "that Col. Miles instructed him to say that he could 
hold out with certainty for two days longer." The messenger 
starting on the 13th, worked through that night — and so "two 
days longer" meant until Sept. 15th. 

Franklin marching via Crampton's Gap, having delayed his 
start until late morning, found the enemy strongly in front of 
him at Burkittsville to defend the pass. After three hours of 
hard fighting and considerable loss he cleared his way through. 
But it was late in the afternoon. Continuing to advance, by 
evening of the 14th he was three and one-half miles distant from 
Maryland Heights, from which place Miles had the day before 
withdrawn those posted there. At 8:30 the next day Franklin 

18 



reported to McClellan the enemy too strong — "two to one" — in 
his front and therefore gave up the pursuit. Col. Miles sur- 
rendered all his force and immense stores at Harper's Ferry 
at 8 a. m. Sept. 15th, half an hour before Franklin began his 
dispatch to McClellan. On the other hand the Confederates had 
opened on Miles and Harper's Ferry at the peep of dawn. 

This episode, in view of the information in McClellan's pos- 
session of the "lost dispatch," has occasioned unfavorable com- 
ment from historians . Most of them enlarge on the delay in 
starting Franklin, who could have advanced a long distance 
and passed through the Gap, had his march began on the after- 
noon of the loth. Celerity was demanded, not alone of Franklin, 
but of each portion of the army. 

McClellan fought his battles well, after the battles were on, 
handling his army with fine judgment — in great contrast to 
some of his successors, tried later, whose failures in generalship 
was deplorable. Knowing the situation perfectly, in this en- 
counter with Lee, how could he neglect the advantages that 
were open to him? 




19 



CHAPTER III. 




HE Confederate general, E. P. Alexander, chief of artil- 
lery in Longstreet's corps, a capable officer and of 
much renown, relates that a citizen of Frederick, a 
Confederate sympathizer, was accidently present at 
McClellan's headquarters on Sept. 13th, and heard ex- 
pressions of gratification at the finding of Lee's "lost order." 
This sympathizer, otherwise — as we might say — spy, quickly set 
about conveying the news. Making his way through the Fed- 
eral lines after dark he brought the information to Stuart of 
the Confederate cavalry, who took it to Lee himself. 

Lee, then in camp at Hagerstown, at once ordered up four 
brigades of D. H. Hill, who were two to five miles west of 
Turner's Gap. Lee saw necessity for speed; he also saw to it 
that there was instant and speedy movement. D. H. Hill's four 
brigades started at once, marching at night; Franklin and the 
others not until next day, somewhat late, too. Hill arrived in 
time to seize Turner's Gap. Then Generals Hooker and Wil- 
liams, Sumner, Sykes, and the rest, had to make the terrible 
battle of the 14th, being thereby held back and were never able 
afterwards to get up in time to catch Lee until his army was 
fully reunited, which was on the 17th, at Antietam — and then a 
second sanguinary struggle, with forces nearly equal but with 
the Confederates in position. A fine defensive position, selected 
by Lee before the Union forces appeared. 

Let us look at S'outh Mountain and Antietam, aided by the 
eyes of historians, competent to see and to judge, and who also 
fought there. 

Gen. Jacob D. Cox, early in 18G1, drilled in the state camp 
all the new Ohio regiments, was with McClellan during their 
first weeks in cam]), afterwards with McClellan in his West 
"Virginia campaign, and like Williams, served with the Army of 
the Potomac, and also in the west — and gained laurels at South 
Mountain and Antietam. In his "Reminiscences," Scribners, 
N. Y., 1900, gives a full account of the Antietam campaign. His 
relations with McClellan were close. After the war he was gov- 
ernor of Ohio, and Grant's secretary of the interior. 

Says Gen. Cox: 'The information (Lee's order) was in Mc- 
Clellan's before noon of Saturday, Sept. ^'^. If his men had 
been ordered to be at the top of South .Mountain before dark 



20 




GEN. JAMES L. SELFRIDGE 

GEN. ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS 

GEN. JAMES S. ROBINSON 

GEN. WILLIAM HAWLEY 



they could have been there; but less than one full corps passed 
Catadin mountain that day or night, and when the leisurely 
movement of the 14th began he himself, instead of being with 
the advance, was in Frederick after 2 p. m., at which hour he 
sent a dispatch to Washington and then rode to the front, ten 
or twelve miles away. * * * 

"It is very plain that if McClellan had hastened his advance 
on the loth of September the passes of South Mountain at Tur- 
ner's and Fox's gaps would not have been occupied in force by 
the enemy, and the condition of things would have been what 
he believed it to be, on the morning of the 14th, when a single 
brigade had been thought enough to support Pleasanton's re- 
connoissance. Twenty-four hours had changed all that. * * * 

"The value of time was one of the things McClellan never 
understood. He should have been among the first in the saddle 
at every step of the campaign after he was in possession of Lee's 
order of Sept. 10th, and should have infused energy into every 
unit of his army. Instead of making his reconnoissance at three 
in the afternoon of Monday, it could have been made at ten in 
the morning and the battle w^ould have been fought before night; 
if, indeed, Lee had not promptly retreated when support from 
Stonewall Jackson would this have become impossible. (Battle 
of South Mountain. Sunday, 14th Sept., evening of same day 
Franklin, marching for relief of Miles, and to foil Stonewall 
Jackson — halts three and one-half miles from Maryland Heights. 
Miles surrenders morning of Monday, 15th Sept., and the whole 
field of operations is clear for S'tonewall Jackson to join Lee — 
which he does in a hurry. Antietam, "bloodiest battle of the 
war," is fought Wednesday, 17th September.). 

"Nothing but reconnoitering was done on Monday afternoon 
or on Tuesday, while Lee was straining every nerve to concen- 
trate his frees and correct what would have proven a fatal 
blunder, in scattering them, had McClellan acted with vigor." 

It may be in place to cite here Gen. E. P. Alexander, as 
showing what Confederate officers think of their narrow escape 
from destruction, consequent of the finding of Lee's "lost order" 
by Gen. William's advance. 

iSays Gen. Alexander: "By all the maxims of strategy Lee 
had put it in the power of McClellan to destroy his army. He 
had not only divided his force into four parts with rivers and 
mountains between, but he had scattered more than was nec- 
essary. 

"McClellan's opportunity was obvious. It was to take gen- 
eral advantage of the separation and move in between the parts. 
This could be done by forcing the bulk of his army through 
Crampton's Gap. * * * gy^ ]\icClellan lost his campaign by 
moving directly after Lee upon Turner's Gap. McClellan should 
have gone in person to Crampton's Gap, as that position Avas 
the key-note of the whole situation . Only Franklin's corps of 
nine brigades was sent there. They might have marched on 
the loth, * * * but did not leave their position until the 
14th. 

'Franklin, 12,000 strong, could have run over McLaws, and 



was under orders to do so, too. p'ranklin was jjreparing to begin 
it on the 14th, but when the heavy firing at Harper's Ferry 
ceased, he correctly interpreted it to mean that Miles had sur- 
rendered Harper's Ferry, so he abandoned his proposed attack. 
This was a gross blunder. It lost an easy oportunity to defeat 
six of Lee's brigades. 

"But McClellan moved upon Turner's Gap with deliberation 
strangely out of place for the occasion. By night marches, 
with good roads, with a good moon, he might have attacked 
and carried both Turner's and Crampton's Gaps by a surprise 
on the 14th of September, for each was then held by only 
cavalry and a single brigade of infantry." 

Briefly that is the story of the "lost order." It will be 
observed that Williams recognized the importance and dis- 
patched it instantly to the commanding general. More than 
that, his corps was in readiness to move at the word "quick 
march" and he had potent reason to think that he would be 
so ordered. It is not known, however, that he ever discussed 
the case. 

Chancellorsville — Williams Holds Stonewall Jackson. 

After Antietam the Twelfth corps occupied the Heights about 
Harper's Ferry while the main army, partly protected against 
flank attacks by the position of this corps, as well as by the 
mountains between, crossed the Potomac — moving by a new line 
toward Warrenton with Richmond as its objective. The Twelfth 
corps continued to watch with vigilance the Confederates in 
the Shenandoah region. The purpose was to keep them from 
co-operating with Lee. This was helpful to Burnside, who had 
succeeded McClellan. But, alas, Burnside made a sad mess 
of it at Fredericksburg and could show only reverses for the 
slaughter there. 

Next year came Hooker as commander of the army of the 
Potomac. He did well at the start, made a masterly crossing 
of the Rappahannock — an admirable military performance. 
Hooker's repulse came at Chancellorsville. Self-satisfied and 
dreaming of easy victory warning messages from his right w'ing 
were disregarded; in one or two instances bearers of such 
intelligence were scoffed at by individuals at staff headquarters. 

The staggering blow came from Stonewall Jackson, and from 
a quarter where Hooker had not feared danger. The 11th corps, 
badly posted on the right to receive Stonewall's attack, was 
broken and most of it presently in fiight, — a wild, dangerous 
panic ominous of destruction. 

It happened directly after sunset. May 2nd, 1SG3. Slocum 
being then in command of the Twelfth corps, Williams resumed 
his place at the head of the "Red Star division." He saw direct- 
ly that something serious had happened on Howard's right and 
made his preparations accordingly. The fleeing mass of men, 
nearly the entire Eleventh cori)s, artillery, mules, beef cattle, am- 
munition wagons — were plunging madiy for the rear. Williams' 

23 



command stopped some 2,000 of the fugiiivos, but being demoral- 
ized nothing could be made of them. So they were allowed to 
leave — the better to make fighting space to confront and hold 
back Stonewall's advance, elated with success and fighting like 
demons for complete and sv/eeping victory. 

The Twelfth corps held them — Stonewall Jackson's heroes 
could not make them yield. Asked once what was the most critical 
hour in his experience. Gen. Williams said it was this hour at 
dusk of May 2nd, 1SG3. Telling then of the yelling, the firing 
and the frantic advance of Stonewall's men, and of his hurried 
endeavors to place and encourage his own disciplined veterans, 
he said: "If Pleasanton had not posted his batteries on the 
ridge, along the little valley, the rebel charging column would 
have gone straight through us. But the excellent work of those 
batteries saved the day." 

How like the modest, brave and skillful soldier! Never 
vaunting himself, always glad to commend others, content to 
let his actions as man and soldier speak for themselves. That 
was Pap Williams, the noble, the sincere, the loving general. 
What he did next day at Chancellorsville, and the part his 
division played in retrieving the dangerous situation, is admir- 
ably told in the reports of the commanders. It may be summed 
up as great work. Simple words but meaning here that in an 
army of the bravest, with many individual members conspicuous 
for merit — none surpassed him. Chancellorsville and Pap Will- 
iams — let us not forget them! 



Gettysburg — Three Fearful Days. 

We hasten on to find him two months later at Gettysburg. 
That imperishable three days' struggle which sheds its halo 
of glory on American soldiers without distinctions as to the 
colors they fought for — alike valiant, skilled in the arts of 
warfare, imperturbable in the face of destruction, enduring all 
the shocks of battle — American soldiers! 

The late William C. Maybury once mentioned a visit to a 
military academy in Russia. A class was studying by the aid 
of maps and plans the battle of Gettysburg. The professors 
told him the lessons of this battle was one of the most instruc- 
tive in the whole course their students were required to learn. 

We find Williams commanding the Twelfth corps at Gettys- 
burg, in position at Gulp's Hill, holding the right wing of the 
army for three days against superhuman efforts to penetrate 
from front and rear, made by day and night, by the Confederates 
under Ewell. He shares therefore in the laurels won by the 
army of the Potomac on that famous battle field. 

Tennessee and Georgia. 

Still rapidly hastening to epitomize the story, the Twelfth 
corps with Williams seeks new scenes for its trumphs west of 
the Blue Ridge and along their slopes, ever moving against 

24 



futile resistance into the lowlands of Georgia. September 12th, 
ISGo, the Twelfth corps, and the Eleventh corps came to rein- 
force the army of the Cumberland. April 4th, 18G4, they were 
consolidated as the Twentieth corps, under command of Gen. 
Hooper of Sherman's army about to Atlanta. 

Little more can be said here than that Williams, at the head 
of his division and sometimes in command of the corps, was 
prominently engaged at Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, New Hope 
Church, Kolb's Farm, Peach Tree Creek and before Atlanta. 
When Hooker, much put out at the promotion of Howard to the 
command of the army of the Tennessee, on July 24th, 18G4, 
offered his resignation as commander of the Twentieth corps, 
Williams was placed in charge of it, retaining the command 
until Slocum arrived toward the last day of August. On the 
night of Sept. 1st, Hardee, of Hood's rear guard, escaped from 
Atlanta. At daylight the following morning, the Twentieth 
corps entered the city. 



The March to the Sea. 

As- it had been the fortune of Williams and his division, to 
occupy Atlanta, so it was his fortune to start first of all the 
army on the "march to the sea." Also, as it was ordained, 
Geary's division of Williams' Twentieth Corps was first to enter 
Savannah, that city by the sea. 

Sherman divided his army into two wings. Howard, with 
the Fifteenth and Seventeenth corps commanded the right wing. 
Slocum, having the Fourteenth and Twentieth corps, commanded 
the left wing. Slocum being advanced to this rank, Williams 
came forward again as commander of the Twentieth army 
corps. This he held until late in March, 1865, when Sherman, 
liaving reached Goldsborough, North Carolina, reconstituted a 
part of his army, the better to follow up Joe Johnston. 

There was no fighting to speak of after this — battle of Ben- 
tonville being finished — it was merely pursuit. Joe Johnston, 
as we all remember, surrendered to Sherman. April 26th, 1865, 
and the war was over. Williams, though then in service, did 
not exactly smell the first powder that was burned. Nor did 
he hear the last shot fired though present at Johnston's sur- 
render. 

But he came as near to actually beholding these opening and 
closing scenes as any man whose term in the army was of 
equal length. For Williams's service covered the whole period 
of preparation, of war, and of reconstruction. Not many of the 
generals have as much to their credit in this particular. You 
might count those that have on your fingers. 

The march to the sea need not be dwelt upon. It was a 
tremendous military event, though on the march but little 
blood was spilled. The political importance of it was of a sur- 
passing character. When the march was accomplished all men 
— north and south — saw that the end was near. 



Sherman, speaking of the preliminaries of the start, says it 
was a strange event — "two hostile armies marching in opposite 
directions," (Hoed and Beauregard taking their army west, 
Sherman headed for the sea), "each in the full belief that it 
was achieving a final and conclusive result in a great war." 
(Hood expecting to do up Thomas at Nashville, and to march 
victoriously across the Ohio). 

The force in this march to the sea totaled 62 204, of which 
5,063 was cavalry, 1,812 artillery, and the rest infantry. The 
most extraordinary efforts were taken to purge the army of 
non-combatants and sick men. Wagons loaded with provisions 
and forage could ill afford to haul sick men in the ambulances. 
So, as Sherman says, it was an army of able bodied, experi- 
enced men, well armed, well equipped and provided. 

Williams, with his Twentieth corps, led off the march, Nov. 
15th, 1864. Sherman saw them depart pnd describes the scene: 
"It was a bright, beautiful day, clear sunlight, bracing air. An 
unusual feeling of exhilaration seemed to pervade all minds. 
A feeling of something to come — vague and undefined, still full 
of venture and intense interest: * * * a band struck up 
'John Brown's Soul Is Marching On.' The men caught the 
strains and far and wide the chorus rang." 

Just a Glimpse of Marching Through Georgia. 

It might be worth while to recall the method of this famous 
ro.arch; how its details were carried out. The army, by divis- 
ions, advanced as much as possible by parallel roads and 
through the open country. The wagons and artillery kept, of 
course, to the highways. 

On the road, marching by the flank Sherman thought it good 
order to have 5,000 men to the mile. A full corpse of 30,000 
men would extend six miles, but with the trains and batteries 
of artillery it was usually extended to ten miles. We can il- 
lustrate this by noting that when the front rank had reached, 
say Dearborn, the rear would be just swinging into Michigan 
avenue at the Eetroit city hall. 

Sherman mentions some details in this way: "To be strong, 
healthy and capable of the largest measure of physical effort, 
the soldier needs about three pounds of food a day; and the 
horse or mule about twenty pounds. * * * An ordinary army 
wagon drawn by six mules may be counted upon to carry three 
thousand pounds net, equal to the food of a full regiment for 
one day; but by driving along beef cattle one may safely 
count the contents of a wagon as containing food for a thou- 
sand men for two days. 

"A corps should have on hand food for twenty days, ready 
for detachment. It should have 300 such wagons as a provision 
train, and for forage, ammunition, clothing and other needful 
stores, it was found necessary to have 300 more, or 600 wagons 
in all." 

Consequently there were 3. GOO mules harnessed to these 600 

2C 



wagons, with extra mules and horses for contingencies. Some- 
thing of a cavalcade for an army corps. 

"We had in all about 2,500 wagons with teams of six mules 
each — (15,000 mules.) Also GOO ambulances with two horses each, 
(1,200 horses drawing ambulances.) The number of guns had 
been reduced to 65, or about one gun to each thousand men. 
They were generally in batteries of four guns each. A single 
gun, its caisson and forge was drawn by four uuirs of torses, 
(eight horses). 

"Each soldier carried on his person forty rounds of ammuni- 
tion; and in the wagons were enough cartridges to make up 
two hundred rounds per man. In like manner 200 rounds of 
assembled ammunition were carried for each gun. Each corps 
had about 800 ammunition wagons (he had four corps as stated) 
and these usually on the march occupied five miles or more of 
road." 

Grim business, this of war, and most expensive. Yet while 
the march had its incidents, and an organized method of col- 
lecting provisions as it passed through the country, all being of 
interest, we pass them by. Individual seizures were forbidden; 
the commissary detachments made collections and gave re- 
ceipts for what they collected. These were duly settled by 
Uncle Sam. 

Thus, in meager outline, something of the service' of Gen. 
Williams has been recited. In a few pages has been condensed 
material that might be made into a volume, not less interesting 
that similar volumes of personal reminiscences cf generals on 
the two opposing sides. Let us conclude with the testim.ony 
by most com.petent and acknowledged authorities concerning 
the soldiery merits of Gen. Williams. 



Hooker's Letter to Stanton. 

This is a copy cf a letter written by Gen. Hooker to Secre- 
tary Stanton a month before the army set out on its march to 
the sea. It is dated from the headquarters of the Northern De- 
partment at Cincinnati, Get. 13th, 1865: 

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: 

Sir: — I am informed that Major General Sherman and Thomas 
have recommended Bri. Gen'l A. S. Williams to the rank of 
Major General of Volunteers. 1 desire to add my testimony to 
that of these officers in his behalf. 

Gen. Williams is one of the oldest brigadier gererals in tl~e 
army, and with one exception has fought on more fields and 
fought better than .any officer of my acquaintance. I can only 
refer to the most important of his services as space will not 
allow me to speak of all. He commanded a corps under me at 
Antietam, was distinguished at the head of his division at Get- 
tysburg: and on the campaign just ended in Georgia command- 
ed a division of the Twentieth corps, and to him belongs no 
small share of the glory of its achievements. At Resaca, New 

27 



Hope Church and in front of Atlanta on the 20th of July he 
won imperishable honors. 

Irrespective of his services in battle, the manner in which he 
has discharged the ordinary duties of his profession from the 
incipiency of the rebellion to the ])resent time, reflects the 
highest credit upon his intelligence, fidelity and patriotism. 

With these opinions of General Williams, I may safely say 
that I know of no one in the army more deserving of prefer- 
ment. Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
Joseph Hooker, Major Gen'l Commanding. 
Official copy. Samuel W. Taylor, Capt. and A. D. C. 



Sherman's Tribute. 

General W. T. Sherman, writing in 1878 to Major Farquhar, 
adds his recollections of Williams in these words: 

"General Williams commanded a division of the Twelfth corps 
which was sent so rapidly from the east to Tennessee under 
Gen. Hooker to reinforce the army of the Cumberland after the 
battle of Chickamauga. I myself at that time was hurrying 
for the same object from Memphis, with the army of the Ten- 
nessee. The great battle was fought at Chattanooga, and then 
was made the combinations for the final critical campaign of 
the war. The Eleventh and Twelfth corps were consolidated 
into the Twentieth corps, commanded by Gen. Hooker, with 
Gen. A. S. Williams commanding the first division of that 
corps, and the senior division commander in that corps. 

"In May, 1864, I succeeded Gen. U. S. Grant in command of 
the grand army designed to advance into the enemy's country 
from that quarter, and was most fortunate in my command of 
the fighting divisions. Up to that date we were absolute 
strangers, but my personal acquaintance then began and ripened 
into friendship, which was close and mutual, to the day of his 
death. 

"To recount his services during the eventful years of 1864 
and 1865 would require a minute history of all the operations of 
that army; for Gen. Wiliams participated in every movement 
and every battle from Chattanooga till the close of the war, 
always in command of a division, and of his whole corps on 
the capture of Atlanta and up to Goldsborough, North Carolina, 
a period of upwards of eight months; always most active, and 
eminently qualified by nature and experience. He had the 
love and respect of his command in an eminent degree; like 
his prototype, Gen. Thomas, the soldiers styled him "Pap Will- 
iams." 

"Though eminently an officer of action, he had the patience 
and affability of manners which won the love and veneration 
of his men. Frequently in our long dreary marches I rode by 
his side, and was often delighted with his cheerful disposition 
and his wit. On one occasion he told me that in a certain Wis- 

28 



consin regiment of his were some Winnebago Indians. In pass- 
ing this regiment he inquired of one of the Indian soldiers what 
he thought of our march below Atlanta into (icorgia. 'Ugh! 
A big hunt!' was the reply." 

Written in History. 

From the "History of the Twelfth-Twentieth Corps," by Col. 
Wm. F. Fox, this extract is taken. With it let us close the many 
expressions of leading officers of his several commands, though 
others mention him in the same kindly strain and with equal 
sincerity. 

"Gen. Williams," says Fox in his history, "commanded the 
Twelfth corps with signal ability at Antietam and Gettysburg; 
commanded the Twentieth corps during a portion of the Atlanta 
campaign and from Atlanta to Goldsborough, North Carolina. 
He commanded the famous Red Star Division in the Shenan- 
doah Valley in the spring of 1862, and was at its head during 
the entire war, except when in command of the corps. He 
never missed a battle. He was never absent from the army on 
any campaign. On every battlefield where his troops were 
engaged he displayed marked ability and achieved marked suc- 
cess. Through all his long and brilliant service not an error 
or mistake has ever been laid to his charge." 

The story here — inadequate and all too fragmentary as it 
proves— reveals at least the proof that in Williams Michigan 
had a soldier of the first rank, conspicuous among a brilliant 
array of comrades. The neglect of Stanton to reward him 
in a manner most gratifying to the heart of a soldier — that is 
by promotion well earned, and strongly recommended by his 
superior officers — should cause our own people to think of some 
proper monument to preserve the glorious memory of Williams. 
None of the great men Michigan has produced better deserves 
such recognition than General Alphens S. W'illiams. In no more 
fitting way can the good people of his home city demonstrate 
to posterity their opinion of the worth of the man. To do that 
will be to honor ourselves, and to teach the youth of our land" 
a stirring lesson of patriotism. 




29 



fc 






Wf 



iiiii:''SI;':l 



